The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-08-06
PaDIE:L.a

Mme. Launoy was just putting on her hat, preparatory to going out to attend display of fall goods, adver- tised extensively by fashionable dry goods store.
 Just at this moment she heard the front door bell ring loudly.
 Mime. Launoy looked at the clock. Why, it is not two yet" said she to herself "Who can it be coming so early? It isn't my reception day, any how, and, besides, am not expecting anybody"
 The door was opened hastily. An elderly lady, with figure which was still slender and sparkling eyes, en- tered without being announced.
 "Maman!" exclaimed Mime. Launoy, ''I was just going to stop at your house on returning from the Bon Marche, I haven't seen you for three days. Will you go shopping with me? The papers advertise fine silk at six francs forty. It is great bar gain, it seems.'
 ''It is fine time to be talking about silks" exclaimed Mime. Martellier in a voice that seemed full of coming events. slaughter, l wish to speak to you about very serious matter" "Oh! my gracious! I had not mo- ticed; your face is not the same as usual. What has happened to you?" ''To me, nothing-that is to say nothing personally! But as every thing relating to you"
 'To me, why what has happened to me? Speak quickly. You frighten me-"
 "Well, poor child-you see"
 Mime. Martellier stopped for sec- ond, then changing her tone, she said : "By-the-by, have a hack at the door. Let's go down; We can talk just as well while riding.
 But, mother, I would like you to tell me-"
 Let's go down first"
 A carriage was standing before the residence of Mime. Launoy. The two women got into it after Martellier called out to the driver:
 "3S Princess street"
 AS soon as the carriage started Mme. Martellier took her daughters hands in hers with look of ofcompassion, say- ing: "Poor darling! foresaw it all, year ago, when you were so anxious to marry that Mir. Achille Launoy! thought the time would come when you would regret having done so."
 My husband! It is about my hus- band you speak. That tranquilizes me little. know you don't fancy my poor Achille, although he is always as kind as he can be to you" "He, kind to me! In what, pray?" "Why, when we got married, did he not at your request give up certain habits that displeased" you, although it made no difference to me? Any how, maman, l warn you that if you have anything to say about my hus- band, l will not believe you without proofs"
 "As you like! After all, I am too kind to be worrying about your affairs. l shall order the driver to go to Sevres street! Go and buy your silk and let matters rest as if I had said nothing"
 "No! No! Forgive me, was wrong. But tell me, to whose house are we going, on Princess street?o
 "You will soon learn. And as you find have never been very enthusi- astic over Mir. Launoy, you will be compelled to acknowledge that had good cause for my prejudice. Do you remember, Valentine, what I often told you, when you used to tire me out with your endless repetitions about the gentleman, that he was not the kind of man I wished to see you welded topo
 "Yes, I remember-I remember But, still, maman, what has my poor Achille been doing wrong?"
 "What has he been doing? Why, nothing at all, except that, although you have been his wife barely year, he has been deceiving you during the last two months."
 "Achille? deceiving me !" exclaimed Valentine.
 "And forgetting the respect due your mother" she added, hnghingly.
 "Don't talk nonsense, mother. I will answer for his virtue q readily as-I would for your ownPs
 "Neithcr myself nor my virtue are called in question, replied Mme. Mar tellier. Ny duty a . mother com pels ma to sh6w you tho infAmy of tho man WhOee nAme you bear, That ,lutv | wiN fnlfill. n0sf vvhaf n ,,,.vy D